“When my mind wanders seemingly lost deep in the pages of a book, I somehow find pieces of myself that were forgotten.”
LION’S WATER
CHILDREN’S PICTURE BOOK AGES 4-8
AKIIKI wishes she could be courageous like her brother Kisembo. While he plays high atop the sycamore tree, the thought fills her with fear. But when the unexpected happens, and Akiiki and Kisembo find themselves all alone, desperate to locate their family, can Akiiki find a way to be brave?
Featuring the rare and real, tree-climbing lions of Uganda, Lion's Water is a story of resilience and finding our inner strength when we need it most.
SHEILA NGONZI HACKBARTH is an author and artist whose creations evoke curiosity, courage, and compassion. Lion’s Water is her debut picture book inspired by stories told to her by her Ugandan mother. It is a contemporary tale yet steeped in heritage that allows children a glimpse into other cultures and circumstances while also being a mirror into aspects of their own.
“Hey, you! Come closer... Do you know a school or event that would enjoy Sheila reading 'Lion’s Water' aloud?”
Art can be defined as works produced by creative skill and imagination or, more deeply, the expression of what is in the soul. In addition to visual art forms such as drawings, paintings, and mixed media, literature is also a form of ART. The arts influence each other.
Art and literature allow us to transcend time, space, and cultural barriers - enabling us to be more emotionally connected to one another.
Enjoy my selection of children’s books, novels, and limited-edition prints. That book stack can get higher and there is always room to add beauty to your wall.
- Sheila Ngonzi Hackbarth
